Mark’s Great Wall of China Trek

I’m trekking along the Great Wall of China in 2017 for CLIC Sargent because I want to help and repay an amazing charity… CLIC Sargent, who help fight for young cancer patients to ensure they thrive, not just survive.

I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at 18 months old. I had a very severe form of Crohns and had to be treated with a high dose of steroids and I had a gastrostomy for intravenous feeding. I continued with life in school but with regular hospital visits and admissions.

At the age of 8 I underwent a life changing operation to have an ileostomy which I will have for the rest of my life. It changed my life for the better and gave me a new lease of life, it however came with its complications. I went through school with many other operations and flare ups but despite all my health problems I still completed and passed my GCSEs. I never let my health problems stop me from living a normal life and seeing the world. When I left school I was at a good stage of health, I had travelled a little bit and also became a qualified level 2 tennis coach.

I had planned a trip to coach tennis in Melbourne Australia in 2014. With my trip and the best time of my life coming to an end I fell seriously ill. The doctors carried out a series of test including lumbar punctures, liver biopsys and various blood tests to be able to diagnose my problem. I was later diagnosed with Glandular fever which had triggered off a life threatening and rare blood disorder called HLH (Haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis). I was treated with a high dose of steroids and later when my condition had stabilised I chose to have a stem cell transplant. My incredible sister (Louise Adams) was a 100% match and she became my donor. Throughout the year of my transplant and making the decision to go ahead with this life changing treatment, I was given amazing and helpful support by Clic Sargent and my social worker Rachel Driver, who I can proudly say is now my good friend, helped and supported me in the darkest and unpredictable time of my life. Without her help I couldn’t have got through all this as well as I have done. Clic Sargent helped with all financial support and took a lot of stress off my phenomenal parents. Most importantly though Rachel was fantastic for emotional support and a shoulder to cry on when I felt lost and alone. I couldn’t be more thankful for having this charity on my side.

I am now 18 months post-transplant and I have a new life ahead with no complications or problems. Both diseases have been CURED. I am seizing every moment and every day. I want to show how you should never give up the fight and I want to repay the kindness an amazing charity showed me and I want to help and support children with the fight against cancer. Thank you for taking your time to listen to my story. Any size of donation will be hugely appreciated.